By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
A natural resource grant has been awarded to help local cities replace drainiage ditches that were damaged during recent rain storms.
Bob Jones, state conservationist with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation (NRCS) Service announced last week that the cities of Brewton, East Brewton and Flomaton would receive $619,500 for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP).
According to NRCS District Conservationist Detra Boutwell, the grant will help finance construction at four sites. Damage was reported near Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton, behind Super Foods in East Brewton and at two locations near the hospital in Brewton.
Currently the work on these projects are in the engineering stages and the funds will be awarded to each city when the work is completed.
These drainage systems were damaged during heavy rainstorms in recent months.
The cities applied for the grant through the local NRCS office and they were awarded through the NRCS national office in Washington.
NRCS provides technical and financial assistance through EWP where a potential threat to life or property exists as a result of natural disasters, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wilfires. EWP provides funding to local project sponsors for work that includes clearing debris from clogged waterways, restoring vegetation and stabilizing streambanks.